Published on Thursday, 8 October 2026 at 3:10:55 PM
Following consultation with the Shire's Fire Control Officers, the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale has removed the longstanding restriction that prohibited burning on Sundays and public holidays during the Restricted Burning Period. The decision follows extensive feedback from local Fire Control Officers and reflects the need to provide landowners with greater flexibility to undertake fuel reduction and land management activities when conditions are suitable.
The change comes at a time when suitable burning opportunities are becoming increasingly limited. Changing seasonal conditions, shorter burning windows and less predictable weather patterns have reduced the number of days available for hazard reduction burning. As a result, the Shire's Fire Control Officers supported a move away from calendar-based restrictions and toward a more risk-based approach that focuses on actual conditions on the day.
Chief Bush Fire Control Officer, Siobhan Bishop, said the decision recognises that fire risk is better managed through permit assessments, Fire Danger Ratings, weather forecasts and site-specific permit conditions than by restricting burning on particular days of the week.
"Modern lifestyles mean that many residents are only available to undertake property maintenance and fuel reduction activities on weekends and public holidays. This change provides greater flexibility while maintaining the strict controls and permit requirements that already exist to ensure burns are conducted safely."
Importantly, the removal of the restriction does not mean that burning can occur without oversight or that Sundays and public holidays cannot be restricted in the future. The Chief Bush Fire Control Officer retains the ability to impose further restrictions or suspend burning activities where conditions warrant, including periods of elevated fire risk, adverse weather forecasts or other public safety concerns.
During consultation, Fire Control Officers identified concerns on behalf of the community regarding smoke impacts and the potential availability of volunteers on public holidays. Despite these concerns, officers generally supported the change, noting that smoke and fire risk can be more effectively managed through permit conditions, weather assessments and active supervision of burns. The removal of the restriction does not guarantee that a permit will be issued on a Sunday or public holiday, with local Fire Control Officers retaining discretion to assess each application on its merits and refuse a permit where conditions, local circumstances or operational considerations warrant.
Residents undertaking burns are reminded to be considerate of their neighbours and to carefully monitor weather conditions to minimise smoke impacts on surrounding properties and road users.
Benefits of removing the restriction include:
- Providing landowners with greater flexibility to undertake fuel reduction and land management activities during suitable weather conditions.
- Increasing opportunities to complete burning activities within often limited seasonal weather windows.
- Supporting members of the community who are only available on weekends and public holidays due to work commitments.
- Adopting a more risk-based approach by focusing on prevailing conditions rather than calendar-based restrictions.
- Simplifying public messaging by applying a consistent set of rules across all days of the week.
Permit Requirements Still Apply
Residents are reminded that during the Restricted Burning Period, a Permit to Set Fire to the Bush is required before undertaking burning activities, with the exception of small pile burns. Permits can be obtained from your local Fire Control Officer. Details on permit requirements and Fire Control Officer contact information can be found on the Shire's website:
https://www.sjshire.wa.gov.au/community/fire-and-emergency-management/when-can-i-burn.aspx
Small Pile Burns
A permit is not required for a single pile burn of garden refuse up to 1 cubic metre (1m x 1m x 1m), provided all requirements under the Bush Fires Act are met, including:
- No flammable material, trees, powerlines, fences or buildings within five metres of the fire.
- The fire is lit between 6.00pm and 11.00pm and fully extinguished before midnight.
- At least one person remains in attendance at all times until the fire is extinguished.
- The fire is fully extinguished with water or earth when no longer required.
- Only one pile is burnt at a time and it does not exceed one cubic metre.
Larger Burns and Permit Conditions
For any burn that does not meet the above requirements, a Permit to Set Fire to the Bush is required.
These permits contain mandatory conditions and Fire Control Officers may impose additional requirements depending on local circumstances. This can include wind speed limitations and other safety controls to ensure the burn can be conducted safely.
As a guide, burning should be avoided when winds exceed approximately 15 km/h, as stronger winds significantly increase the likelihood of fires escaping containment lines.
Landowners and occupiers are also reminded that:
- Burning is not permitted when the Fire Danger Rating is High or above.
- Burning is not permitted on a Total Fire Ban Day.
Permit holders must:
- Comply with all permit conditions.
- Notify the local Fire Control Officer.
- Notify adjoining neighbours at least four days before the burn (and no more than 28 days prior).
- Notify the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions if the burn is within 3km of State Forest or a National/Regional Park on (08) 9219 9000.
- Register the burn with the DFES Communications Centre on
- Have three able-bodied persons in attendance at all times.
- Monitor the burn to minimise smoke impacts and prevent traffic hazards.
- Call 000 immediately if the burn escapes or becomes uncontrolled.
- Extinguish the burn if directed by a Fire Control Officer.
- Report any escaped burn to the Shire within seven days.
- Produce the permit when requested.
- Understand they may be held responsible for any damage caused by the fire.
While the restriction on Sundays and public holidays has been removed, the expectation remains that all burning activities are conducted responsibly, safely and in accordance with permit conditions. The change simply provides residents with more opportunities to undertake necessary fuel reduction and land management activities during increasingly limited seasonal burning windows while maintaining the safeguards needed to protect the community.
Additional Resourcing on undertaking a hazard reduction burn can be found at
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